Speeding in France warning! Roll On Brexit!

rf065

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Just be aware if you holiday in France, yesterday I received a letter with a French postmark informing me that on 1st October 2018 at 16.30pm, on the A75 between Millau & Montpellier, I was caught on a speed camera doing 88kph in an 80kph limit.

In full context though, let's not forget that Macron a month or so before had reduced every 90kph road in France to 80kph, but without the resources to actually alter any speed limit signs to show the new limit.
The camera itself was on a long downhill section where the only way to keep below the new reduced limit would require you to keep your foot on the brake. And this isn't UK roads, this is from high up in the Massive Central (3C in mid afternoon) heading downwards towards sea level on the Mediterranean! (21C- 2 hours later in the evening)

Ironically, the "yellow jackets" started their protests the weekend we returned to the UK which involved spraying all the speed camera lenses with yellow paint rendering them all useless and vandalising the toll booths on the Autoroutes ensuring all the toll roads were now free! Solidarity my friends, but why did you not start the month before?

To summerise, as the cameras are all out of order & the tolls are in flames, I suspect the French are going through historic offences that may have been deemed unworthy of chasing at the time but are now being used to generate income they have lost elsewhere, why else chase a fine for an offence committed 6 months ago?
 

Ken_R

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I've been to France since the 80kph limit was introduced. Now whilst a reduction from 90kph to 80kph doesn't sound much, it is '****** boring'. As to not having the resources to display the reduced speed limit signs, certainly, in the part of Brittany that I visit, they were erected, but covered, well before the appointed date.

The 80kph limit harks back the UK's 50mph limit, everywhere, at the time of the fuel crises of the 1970's. That again, was '****** boring' and attributed nothing to Road Safety. Indeed, I would argue, that the concentration needed to conform to a lower limit took attention away from spacial awareness.

In a way, I am surprised that Macron's speed changes have not already been abandoned. He is certainly unpopular and this change can not have done him any favours. Perhaps he just acknowledges that he is on his 'way out' and wants to 'save face' by not reversing earlier decisions. Dunno.:geek:
 

M80

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It might be that we don't help our fellow members prosecute though.
 

LostKiwi

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It might be that we don't help our fellow members prosecute though.
Can't see it somehow....
That would mean we wouldn't be able to pursue foreign vehicles either.
 

umblecumbuz

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As for speeding, it is so easy in today's cars to creep up above limits - unless you set the speed limiter. I hate the limiters, because it feels like hitting a brick wall when you reach the preset speed, and I momentarily wonder if the car has developed a fault!

It slso depends why you're driving through France. If you have a deadline to meet, then speeding is more likely. At present and for several weeks yet, I am meandering around western France looking at properties, with no fixed schedule, and I have noticed that I am subconsciously driving slower than usual, so speeding shouldn't creep up on me this trip.
 

LostKiwi

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As for speeding, it is so easy in today's cars to creep up above limits - unless you set the speed limiter. I hate the limiters, because it feels like hitting a brick wall when you reach the preset speed, and I momentarily wonder if the car has developed a fault!

It slso depends why you're driving through France. If you have a deadline to meet, then speeding is more likely. At present and for several weeks yet, I am meandering around western France looking at properties, with no fixed schedule, and I have noticed that I am subconsciously driving slower than usual, so speeding shouldn't creep up on me this trip.
Where in western France are you looking?
 

Blobcat

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I might have gone over the Milau bridge at 220kmh a few years ago (well most of it before I had to slow for the toll)... :rolleyes:

Fairly sure there weren’t any cameras then :D
 

Taffy7hfa

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The EU "project" that Macron is so in love with is doomed anyway, the sooner we walk away the better.
Let the likes of Macron, Junker & Verhofstadt stew in their own juices.
 

umblecumbuz

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Where in western France are you looking?

Roughly in the area from Mortain/Vire across to Avranches, and up to 150km south - withiin easy reach of Poole/Cherbourg crossing (Brittany Ferries). I am in Mortain now.
 

LostKiwi

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Ah - quite some way north of us. We're just south of the Cognac/Royan area. You're more Brittany/Normandy (and not far from @ajlsl600 (St Lo)).
 

Gazwould

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Hmmm , Remy Martin Champagne Cognac...
 

Flyinspanner

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Is there no time limit on speeding offences ie you have to get a notice within X number of days/weeks?

4 1/2 months seems a bit long?
 

LostKiwi

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And how is it?


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It's really nice. Can't be too bad as I'm not a fan of cognac but I can drink that quite comfortably.
 
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rf065

rf065

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Can't see it somehow....
That would mean we wouldn't be able to pursue foreign vehicles either.

We don't!
French & UK law differs, meaning a French driver speeding in the UK will not be pursued, but the DVLA will happily pass your details to the French.

"The directive compels Member States to exchange the identity of the registered keeper or owner of a vehicle – as opposed to the identity of the driver – at the time of the offence.

This is called keeper liability. The UK – along with countries likes Ireland, Germany, Italy, Spain and Austria – runs a driver liability system. This means that for police authorities in the UK, it may be more difficult obtaining information of the driver if they are from another member state."
 
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rf065

rf065

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Is there no time limit on speeding offences ie you have to get a notice within X number of days/weeks?

4 1/2 months seems a bit long?

Apparently they have 1 year! And where did the 4 1/2 months come from?
 

Flyinspanner

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October (speeding)
November (1 elapsed month)
Dec(2)
Jan(3)
Feb(4)
March (5) and a bit

Whoops my bad 5 1/2 months :rolleyes: still annoying that they can hold it for a year!
 

ajlsl600

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Roughly in the area from Mortain/Vire across to Avranches, and up to 150km south - withiin easy reach of Poole/Cherbourg crossing (Brittany Ferries). I am in Mortain now.

yup we are 15 min south of st lo on route to A84 our main route for visits to brittany. we also use cherbourg poole. i remember well 5/6 yr ago Aclass and trailer was under £100 rtn in jan feb , try that now ! 16yr this yr.
 
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